PROVINCIAL NEWS

Kumara Times, Issue 2994, 8 June 1886, Page 2

PROVINCIAL NEWS

[united PRESS ASSOCIATION.I Hawera, June 5. A shocking fatality occur*ed here this morning, by which Joseph M‘Williams, aged 22 years, lost his life. Deceased, who is brother-in-law to A. A. Fanthnm, had been sinking a well ou the farm of the latter, and this morning was lowered without being tied. He let go his hold before reaching the bottom, having been overpowered by gas. Strenuous efforts were being made for several hours, but they were of no avail. There is a seam of lignite at the bottom, which is 80 feet deep. There have been no previous indications of any danger. Wellington, Juno 4. The City Council have accepted the tender of J. Saunders for £14,200 for additional reclamation of Te Aro foreshore. It is understood that Major Porter, of Gisborne, has instructed a Wellington 6rm of solicitors to proceed against the Gisborne Independent for an alleged libel. An expressman named Mercer, residing at Newton, committed suicide by hanging. The Court of Appeal will probably sit to-morrow to deliver judgment. The case of S. S. Downes, of the Pier Hotel, v. Sir William Fox, claiming £SOOO for alleged libel published in a letter by the latter on March 9th, has been settled by Sir Wiliam making an ample apology. Sir William Fox admits that what he wrote did not refer to the Pier Hotel, and in his apology states that since his letter was published he has learnt that Mr Downes’ house is one of the best conducted houses in the city. Sir William has to pay all costs. June 7. Government have received no intelligence regarding the movements of the French man-of-war mentioned in this morning’s cables, and express disbelief that France is likely to take any step while negotiations are proceedings. On the last trip of the Wakatipu to Sydney, a man named Harry White was a passenger. It transpires that he bad robbed his employer, Thomas Dickenson, of Westport, of £3OO worth of jewellery, £2OO of which he disposed of here, and which the police succeeded in recovering. White was arrested in Sydney on the strength of a cablegram, and Constable M‘Kinnon, of Westport, left by the Hauroto to-day back. The census returns for the electorates and counties are nearly ready, only one or two small returns from south having to come in. The complete returns will he presented to Parliament when these arrive. The Government have not yet considered the Representation Bill, and it is understood it will not be touched this session, but that another session will be held early next year, Auckland, June 6. The brigantine Nora, from the Mersey river, Wolfe Morphy, from New Yotk and Adelaide, reports that the son of the owner, Edwin Crearer, fell overboard and wa« drowned in leaving New York harbor. Alexander Brown, draper, charged with ulawfully absconding from bis cieditois, has been committed for trial. June 7. In the football match a young mao named Biggs had his thigh broken. The Orpheus, for Port Derby, sailed to-day. Hundreds were on the wharf to see the intending diggers off. Dunedin, June 4. John Creighton, runholder, of Mount Ida, has filed. His liabilities are set down at £7420, and assets at £IO,OOO. Juno 7. William Horne, miner at Skippers, died suddenly in his bunk, and William Boyd died suddenly while ridin« between Frankton and Queenstown, & A child three years old, daughter of Blair, a milkman near the city, palled a kettle of water over herself in the absence from the house of her parents yesterday, and died from the effects of the scalds this morning. Fielding, June 7. A slight shock of earthquake was felt last night at 7.30, and a severe one this morning at 1.25. Ten men leave to-day for Kimberley J fully equipped, taking drays and horses. Christchurch, June 6. Mr Billens, storekeeper, Akaroa, was selling some blasting powder in his yard this morning, when the purchaser, James Hewitt, let some of it off to try if it was damp, when all of the powder (several pounds), exploded and set both men on fire. They crossed the read to the chemist’s, where their hands and heads were found to be severely burnt. They were carefully attended by the doctor, and tup processing favorably.